Nation's Building News Online

Plain Text Version (Click Here for Graphical Version)

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans National Builder Division

www.NAHB.org
Week of January 24, 2005

Front Page

* NAHB Directors Adopt Policy on Regulating Housing Government Sponsored Enterprises
* Subscribe Your Employees to NBN Online and Earn a Chance to Win a Digital Camera
* Voluntary Green Building Guidelines Aimed at Mainstream Housing
* Housing Snapshot

Housing and Economics

* Demand for Building Materials to Remain High in 2005, But Some Relief Possible on Lumber Prices
* Home Starts Rebound in December, Single-Family Production Sets a Record in 2004
* Builders Voice Confidence at the Start of a New Year

Housing Politics

* Senate Majority Leader Frist Voices Commitment on Housing Concerns
* Administration Renewing Push for Homeownership Tax Credit and Zero-Down Mortgage, HUD Secretary Says

Housing Finance

* GSE Reforms Must Strengthen National Commitment to Housing, CEOs Tell Builders
* GSEs Gearing Up to Meet Housing Needs of Minority and Immigrant Families

Business Management

* How to Manage Risk to Protect Your Business

Builders' Show

* Builders Attended IBS in Orlando in Record Numbers

Construction Safety

* Builders Required to Post 2004 Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Multifamily

* Growing Popularity of Condos Rejuvenating Urban Areas
* Finalists Announced for 2005 Pillars of the Industry Awards

Seniors Housing

* Experts See Major Changes Afoot in Today’s Seniors Housing Market
* Find Your Place in the Affluent Boomer Market

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Iowa Remodeler, Don Novak, to Lead National Remodelors™ Council

Education

* February Is National Designation Month — Look for Discounted Class Fees

Builder's Engineer

* Concrete Too Wet Equals Weak Concrete

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Idaho Custom Builder David Wilson Elected NAHB President
* George Goudreau, Sr., NAHB Charter Member, Co-founder of Cleveland HBA, Dies at 101
* Log In to NAHB Web Site for Chance to Win Digital Camera
* Get Double the Discount from Dell Through January
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

Growing Popularity of Condos Rejuvenating Urban Areas

The growing popularity of condominiums and apartments among younger households and empty nesters is driving a renaissance in urban areas across the country, according to multifamily housing experts attending the Jan. 13-16 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

The condo market, in particular, has been thriving, the experts said, as more and more people look for homeownership opportunities close to jobs, restaurants, entertainment and public transportation.

“Condos made up 30% of new multifamily starts in 2004, which is a record-high percentage,” according to Gary Benson, president of Garrison Partners, a Chicago-based firm that specializes in condo conversions.

Benson said that buying a condo is an appealing option for a number of niche markets: empty-nester baby boomers; young, well-paid professionals from the echo boom; and a growing number of new residents arriving from other countries, who are often more accustomed to living in high-density areas than their American counterparts.


Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

See how Countrywide gets it done fast -- with experts that provide a full range of home financing solutions.
Find out how you can get more power over your monthly finances with our PayOption ARMs.

“The urban experience has drawn aging boomers and echo boomers back downtown, while many young singles and couples have turned to condominium ownership to take advantage of low interest rates and as a first step toward accumulating net worth,” said Benson. “In a time of double-digit home price appreciation in many urban markets, condos have appreciated at higher rates than single-family homes. Even so, condos are often the most affordable option for first-time home buyers in desirable urban locations.”

Design trends in new rental apartments as well as condos have been kicked up a notch in recent years to appeal to today’s sophisticated renters and condo buyers, according to Paul Campbell, a principal with Kephart, a Denver-based architectural firm.

“High-tech features like wi-fi and broadband access are now standard in most apartments,” said Campbell. “We’re also seeing more open, flexible floor plans with more creativity in kitchen design.”

With many developers starting new apartment communities with an eye toward converting them to condos, appliances and finishes are also being upgraded. “There is a real emphasis on quality as well as style in the luxury apartment market,” noted Campbell.


Register Now for the 2005 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference

The NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Conference & Awards Gala is the premier industry event for the multifamily industry. Join NAHB Multifamily and Pillars Conference Chairman Ron Terwilliger for the best networking and educational opportunity the industry has to offer. Click here for more information on this event. To register now for this event, click here.


[ Go to Top ]


Sponsored by: National Association of Home Builders

Reach 100,000+ Builders & Contractors
Search 2005 International Builders' Show Exhibitors
Members Save at BuilderBooks.com
NAHB Members, Log In to Win at www.NAHB.org

To unsubscribe or to manage your subscription, CLICK HERE

Nation's Building News Online is produced and distributed by the National Association of Home Builders